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li.' name ot the writer should accom
pany the letter or article, not necessarily
for publication, but as an evidence of good
faith.
Questions and communications relative
~, nn ultural and horticultural subject*,
i addressed to Agri. Editor, Drawer N.
jJllledKevllle, Da., will receive immediate
attention. _
Un At It, Farmers.
1, „ oovth the farmer, and others, too.
to I'luvr tip. There Is the light of promise
oeiter days; the long gloomy night of
ii-nrultural depression it appears is about
w -iv way to the dawn of better times.
T < iv is every indication that the time is
;■ hand when the farmer can sing
, ne peon of hope as he goes about his work
miller than indulge the plaints of anxiety
an ,l concern that repeated years of failure
reined to fully justify of late. There is
i , jane that has no turning, and when
ih.r-s are at their worse they sometimes
1. Lei us believe that the farmer of
i country hive seen their worst; that
t., y hav. lived through the very seventh
i years of scarcity and adversity,
r,sit the conviction that w< will
, i>,nv upon ihe seven years of plenty
i ; ,i. is verity. To this end the signs are
i mi with promise, as they have not
I. , i„ f.ue in years. They teem with in
1, ■ ii hope. They give an inspiration
i„ ~,.| k They promise a fair reward for
,st toil. Ii behooves us to accept these
i.a with cheerful hope: lo rise up and
p, out lo meet half-way the return of the
,t: vigor who forsooth is styled agricul
i.■ ,1 prosperity. This is the first cogno
ii of general prosperity, to be sure. For
i. i , farmers prosper all, or nearly all,
. ill is will prosper. This is an old saying
v :,y of our acceptation. This writer
God that we are still an agriciil
tinal people. The larger number of our
.southern people are stiil engaged in tilling
i o .-oil Directly or indirectly the best
i , no m of them are dependent upon farm
ii v If forming stagnates and proves un
profitaHie ihe greater number are distress
ed more or less.
To our agriculture we must look for our
- io-i i iiy. Our manufactures constitute
bn; a small proportion of our wealth.
Coramei •* can make but a poor showing
on not sustained by a reasonable pros
lily of the farmers.
h ;s presumed that every man and wo
i; in wi.l do liieir individual part in re
i. wii.t: 1 in prosperity, and it behooves
■ >ur i.iwmukrrs to enact every law that
i. ilf slightest degree advance this
a;.r > i iural prosperity. Being an agri
i ..mira 1 peopk legislation should be meas
nn-ii by ihe question, will the proposed
lii iv in ar favoralily or otherwise upon
inning'.’ If ihe former, by all means lei
u i>' for trial. A country sustained by a
I cious class of farmers will never lie
'i alibiing place of fanatics, anarchists
•\ .i mionisls. Tile farmers are a con
• i iiiivt God-fearing class that can be
trus. and to sustain a state in the highest
■ uion of honor, quiet and contentment.
- true as true can be, despile the
n . -I.ions of a small class of petti
and small merchanls of dishonor
in' -hods. The failure to give office
in ilf urn' ease and a refusal of a false
id in imp other is the cause of some
and affected ridicule on the part of
- or two of individuals that the
'"n r in regard with more of compla
■* than of animosity. The great mass
■rnurs may not be able lo clearly
■ iht .r.n.l and signification of cer
i ‘man tl questions (that stand as so
inc h Gm ek to the average statesman (?),
in fact) th< y may lie counted upon to
ar Hi. r ills with all due patience and
••• 'bind as a bulwark of stnotig defense
tin ir country in times of anarchy and
"■ iti.. and revolution. So we say, Pros
-1" r■ ' io tm farmers! Bet them take
■ itid hai'iien the tools of their cali
'-i and go at work with hope and oonft-
S. A. C.
Soitt lien ii \ tow Pen Hay.
"' '■ i oblige me with a little informa
'' 1 I ‘-ni a small field of very luxuri
i hi ails. I wish to come as near
k as to the amount of cured
'hat will be made from Ihe vines.
' ii average over the field, being
b a rows. ThV* row* are eighty
b' h iii length. By cutting one
■ow and allowing the vines to
1 lien weighing it, the rotiult will
''■ : >.r approximation, will it not?
mail} pounds ol' green vines will
' ' 1 • made 100 pounds of well-cured
I’m In ans wa re planted early
ai I have a good many young
“ ,n, J plenty of hlooms? • * *
will this hay compare with the
owpea hay? H. M.
I 'in v . if you soled an average
•in i otm fairly close to the re
i. ling th' green vines defer
(1 until the dew is well dried
1 " Weather promises fair. Heave
• • Inches of stuhbli. Put the
1 r hi m-i Into small cocks the same
''nek* large enough to incite
, ‘aiiiig, wliiih will occur in a very
ii f.iliowlng afternoon throw
' : "f Me He cooks tnio one large
nl| i ihe small ones clear over,
im s thus remain another twen
'fs. pull down and scatter a
J I'd the sun dry out any surface
Then >on can haul up and
o k without sny danger of Its
■ and by lei mentation. Tlie leaves
, ' * r v,-d und the hay have a
Inviting appearance, every
''!m h the stork will eat. Weigh
„ t 1 plod Mid from the on*- row an<l
' the whole number ol rows,
■h ' Ines conimin from 73 to per
" ’ill of which, excepting
r cent, should he cured out
' Into hay—lf perfeci'y cured
gf, v , ry tender there will
h' of wali'r, the green for.
Melding about one-fourth ils
hi' l nay. Hut hay male in
i'l eiiggcated will wi Igli more
" 1 tc allowed to burn up, as It
''l out in tli sun for days
1 v thought it misssary for
to great dill, retire hetwer-n
' ' ”f owpea hay and suja l**an
1 ‘ somewhat more "fat" in
** csuallv the eowiwa shows
II l rot, in icw fl* ,h makers} In
' tiling should occur short.
* *•*l have filled. A -re f,g
, **' < itoo,*J proq u< the nasi
Hiitbcatl Curable.
Some months since a correspondent ask
ed if it were possible that a well develop
ed' case of big head (osteoporosis) could
be cured.
We were not able to answer the ques
tion with the same degree of satisfaction
that we now can.
In the past summer a well develop case
of bighead and its treatment came under
our daily observation, and as the result
we are prepared to say that it is a des
ease that can be cured if promptly treated.
This assertion is founded upon the princi
ple that if one case can be cured others
can be also. This is the only instance that
has come under our observation, but it was
a bad case. Date in the winter a trotting
mare, Deila Wilks, developed a bad case
and was in such a condition she could
not get lip without assistance. Declined
gradually in flesh from over 1,100 pounds
to less than 700.
The animal is now in use, can make a
mile in 3:10, and weighs over 1.000 pounds.
In an early issue we will give at length
the treatment that worked the cure.
Succulent Food for lings.
It is high time that all who expect to
keep any number of hogs next winter—
from one to 10,000 head—should make pre
paration to supply them with
some sort of green food
after the ordinary pasture is gone.
There is nothing better, to our knowledge,
than artichokes and rye, says the Ameri
can Swine-Breeder. Progressive breeders
and feeders in ail parts of the country con
sider them as essentials in the profitable
keeping of pigs in winter.
Time was, and not very long ago, either,
when most swine growers thought a liber
al feed of ear corn twice a day and the
warm side of an old straw pile as sleep
ing quarters, was pretty fair winter care
for hogs. A good many of the animals
managed to live through each year and
their owners thought they were making
money. But after a time prices got so low
that men began doing a prodigious amount
of thinking, and the result was that they
awoke to a realizing sense of the fact that
swine growing is as much a business as
any other part of the farmers’ occupation.
In their quest for knowledge they made
the discovery that the sooner a hog could
be made fit for market the greater the
margin of profit for the owner.
In order to secure the greatest possible
amount of growth from the food consum
ed. ii is ne-’essary that the growth be con
stant; that there be no dormant period or
lime of rest. To make a certain and con
tinuous growth all the elements which
promote the same should be'present at all
times. Corn, alotie. does not contain them.
Green fool is a peoessary part of the ration
in summer. We all know that the sum
mer season is the time of greatest growth;
therefore, the nearer we can come to sum
mer conditions the year around the better
results we may expect. The nearest we
can approximate this in winter is to pro
vide warm quarters and green food.
Therefore, it behooves every grower of
swine to plant some sort of a green crop
for winter feeding. Unless you know of
something better and cheaper, you will
make no mistake in growing rye and arti
chokes. Three bushels of artichokes are
not considered equal in feeding value to
the same amount of com, but two bushels
of corn and one of artichokes are better
than three of corn. Therefore, in that pro
portion, artichokes are actually of more
value than corn. Since it can be done so
cheaply, u is a very short-sighted indi
vidual who slill refuse* to provide succu
lent food for ins hogs during the winter
season.
Growl lift “l'lckle” Onionw.
A good many growers at the north and
west make finite a business of growing
small onions, designed exclusively for sale
to the piekle establishments. Thousands
of bushels are made into pickles which
find a very large sale, either put up by
themselves or in mixture with other ma
terials.
The growing of these small onions is a
very simple matter, and any one who de
sires them for pickling can grow them In
their own garden, whether a gallon is al!
that is wanted or a bushel or more.
Onions, cucumbers anil artichokes are
three vegetables always in demand for
pickle-making, and every farmer's wife
should have more or less of all to convert
into pickles, for It Is something every
one should use to some extent during the
wlnier and spring and early summer, as
their use Is very conducive to health.
White onions are the only kinds grown
for pickles, and there are several varie.
tics that are especially adapted to the
purpose. The White Barletta, naturally
ihe smallest of onions, is very generally
grown for the puritose, but the New Queen
and th*' White Portugal will do as well.
ThP main thing is to sow them thickly,
so that only small onions can be mad**.
The quality of the land must regulate
the quantity of seed to bo sown. If pos
sible, select medium soil rather than the
richest. Sowings can bo made either
broadcast or in drills.
Asa rule the drill plan is the better.
Break the soil and level with harrow or
rake. Then draw shallow drills with a
piece of board about an inch wide. Along
this drill sow the seeds thickly; how thick
ly depends again upon their quality. Seeds
may be 9u per cent.good,or they may not he.
better than 3.1 per cent. Usually allowance
must l made for a good many defective
seeds. If the fresh crop of seeds are used
an I obtained from a reputable seedsman.
It is possible that so per cent, will grow.
Old seeds will oftentimes give less even,
than 10 per cent, or plants. The profession
al gardener will always test his onion
.seeds before planting them, in order to
know what allowance must be made for
defective ones.
Of good seeds every square inch should
receive five ot six seeds. More than this if
of doubtful character. Dover lightly with
a rake and roll the drills with a roller, or
a barrel will answer. Just enough shallow
cultivation with the hoe should bo given
to keep th<- grass and weeds down. This
sowing can la- made any time, In March
nnd up to the middle of April, but the ear
lier the better, A maxim In onion culture
Is lo kill the. we.sls tiefore they come up.
Del an onion Iwd once goi weedy In the
early stag* and the undertaking to clean
It will he discouraging, if not dishearten
ing. Something Is gained usually by soak
ing ihe seeds twenty-four or ihtrty-six
hours before sowing. They should be rolled
111 plaster or ashes' previously to sowing,
however, else they will not be easily distri
buted.
As soon as the tops begin to turn yellow
the young onion should Is' pulled up and
allowed to dry In the sun. Then spread out
thinly under shelter until arrangements
for picking Is completed.
F.nrly Itlpe nlim of Fruit,
It Is not difficult to so manipulate a
branch of the |each. pear or apple as to
cause It not only to ripen Its fruit ten
days or more In advance of the ordinary
reason, hut lo areally Increase the size of
It, >aya a well-known orehardlat in Kami
and Fireside.
Trees take their food from (he soil,
ehlefly the mineral* dissolved In water
which piteecsa from r* .1 lo cell through
the center of the wood until 11 reach,'* the
leaves, wlurc It le digested and aselmlU'
led by eoinhlmitg U **tli *he carbon of
the !ttmopb*r* and other *.ec end then
passes downward iminsti ibdy undo the
balk, buildln* up wood *dl and develop.
Ing the (run.
Mow if tee < ha< k the dowttwaid flow f
THE MORNING NEWS: MONDAY, AUGUST 30, lSfiT.
this sap by pressing th*' bark it throws
tliis digested food hack and the fruit ap
propriates it to ils own growth. We can
do this readily by twisting a sma 1 wire
around the branch immediately below the
specimen desired. It is well to remove ail
hut the one fruit and great care must Ik?
exercised not to get the wire so tight as
to rupture the bark and thus destroy the
branch. It only needs a slight compres
sion to accomplish the work. After the
fruit has matured the wire must be remov
ed.
Grape growers who practice ringing un
derstand this to perfection. They remove
a band of the bark perhaps a quarter of
an inch long just below a cluster which
then takes all the resources o*f the limb
ami does its work in advance of the others
and often doubles its size, but the limb
must t>e cut out at Ihe next pruning us
it could not again put out Us leaves.
It often happens a young tree will not
develop fruit buds. It can Ik* made to do
so by a sudden checking of its growth
when its wood buds are forming and caus
ing them to develop as fruit buds for next
season’s crop. The wire is drawn light
ly around the body of the tree, and left a
few weeks during July and August. As
stated the work must be done with cau
tion or the tree wilt be injured.
Some accomplish the sa'me result by
making a cut squarely aroiThd the body of
the tree, merely .severing the bark. The
bark will draw apart slightly and till with
gum but the growth will I>e suddenly
checked and fruit buds secured for a good
crop the following season. This work
should be done in July for best results.
Timely Thought f'ny*.
To get the best results, out of agricul
tural work of all kinds, it must be the
result of thought and a certain amount of
planning, before time for actual working
arrives. No one who has had any ex
perience need be told that some of the
best work on the farm, garden, orchard,
etc., is done in the fail and winter, and it
becomes necessary to study out in the
summer and arrive at a positive conclu
sion exactly what one intends 10 do in
the fall if he would have himself in a
good stale of preparation for the work
when the time arrives for him to do it.
From September to December much of ihe
most, profitable work of the year is done,
or can be done by the former and trucker
in southern latitudes.
During the period covered by the above
months—September to December—ls the
most appropriate time for setting out
fruit and nut trees, hedge plants, straw
berry and raspberry plants, the sowing
small grain, the seeding down of now pas
tures and meadows, the planting of sev
eral of the leading vegetable grown by
market gardeners and truckers, such as
spinach, asparagus, onions, cabbage. In
fact, it is only those who understand the
value of the fall and early winter plant
ings that can make the best results in
fruit, grain and vegetable growing.
The harvesting of the fall made crops
may cause, much of this work that should
he done in the fall to be neglected, un
less one does some good planning in the
summer and so manages to be prepared
to commence upon it at the earliest pos
sible moment—taking care of course not
to make a beginning too early.
By studying the catalogues and engag
ing in the necessary correspondence now
with the parties that supply the seeds,
plants and trees, that you will need this
fall you can get just what you want in
due time for planting out all the fruit or
nut trees, small fruit plants, grapes or
strawberries, raspberries, oat and rye
seed, grass and clover and vegetable
seeds.
Meiulow-Oat Grass.
While is a very desirable grass for the
southern climate, it is J 'tnferior to the
orchard grass and should not be selected,
when the soil Is suitable for the latter.
Bui where one already lias the meadow
oatg rass established even partially, on
their soils It would be unwise to eradicate
it for the purpose of substituting some
thing else. It is better adapted to thin
soils than the orchard and it will succeed
admirably on sandy and gravelly soil that
would hardly suit the other. It is not so
enduring as the orchard grass. But it
will, with good treatment, continue for a
number of years. Even on quite poor soils
with the air of a little ammoniated super
phosphate it will grow to a bight of three
feet. On rich soils It frequently attains
a bight of six or seven, feet. It continues
green Ihe year round nearly and in some
localities Is known as evergreen grass.
It is adapted either for pasturage or hay,
but the hay is rather light. It will give
several cutting a year und is regarded as
one of the best winter grasses that we
have. As suggested in a previous chap
ter those who set out deliberately to es
tablish permanent pastures or meadows of
the sui>erlor grasses and are willing lo
take all necessary care and trouble to
establish them as perfectly as possible
will not find it the most satisfactory plan
to rely upon any one particular grass,
but will use a mixture of several that are
regarded as among the best, and thus
speedily determine which is really the la st
for their soil and locality. He will then
in further extension of the meadow and
pasture land, lie governed by the results
of first efforts ami use only those siiedes
that thrive host on his soil. There are a
few grasses and clovers lhat do admirably
when grown by themselves. But as a gen
eral rule mixtures are far belttr and give
far better satisfaction.
For pasture purposes, at the laying
down, two or three different grasses and
one or two clovers should be usp*l.
If the various species of grass and clover
seed were easily procurable It would be
advantageous to use In the mixture eight
or ten different kinds. Four or five, how
ever, will answer very well.
A mixture of orchard grass, meadow
oat, red-top. Timothy and Lucerne is a
good one. But there are numerous varie
ties that can be made. As with orchard
grass, it is always well to mix red- lover
with the meadow-oat. The seed of the lat
ter •weigh about 14 pounds to the bushel.
And If Ihe seed are first-class 2 bushel to
S'.ji should be used, adding to this *o X
pounds of good clean seed, mixing thor
oughly before sowing.
Tlie t iillnrr of I'crns.
We all love ferns, but many of us do
not try to grow them because we Imagine
that they require special treatment and
spo lal soil, says Vicks Magazine The
truth Is that fern* are very easy to grow
either In the garden or greenhouse.
Nearly all writers upon fern culture In
sist on the use of peat, and this we are
not often able to procure. This was a
great discourager lo my efforts until I
found lhat florists who grow ferns for
market, use the same roll of soli for
ferns lhat they do for roses, carnations
and geranium**: Good, fresh. fibrous
loam and well-rotted cow manure. I
found, too, fi rm experience and Incfuiry,
that all ordinary f<ms— not in* hiding Ihe
hardy ones would grow In a temperature
of SO to > degress In winter, and (Ills Is
usually the temperature of our rooms
CASTOR IA
For Infant! and Children.
3s
SICK HEADACHE
Positively cured by these
Little Pills.
They also relieve Distress from Dyspepsia,
Indigestion ami Too Hearty Eating. A per.
feet remedy for Dizziness, Nausea, Drowsi
ness, Bad Taste in the Mouth, Coated Tongue
Pain in the Side, TORPID LIVER. They
Regulate the Bowels. Purely Vegetable.
Small Pill. Small Dose*
Small Price.
when (hey are not over-heated. Borne of
the very prettiest ferns s< ni lo thrive
well in almost any temperature that
does not fall to the freezing point. Among
these are the common maidenhair, A. cu
neatum, A. pedatum and A. gracillimum,
tin* thick-leaved eyrtomium. hard-leaved
pterises. and the onychiums. Adiantum
Farleyensis, the beautiful queen of fern-,
must be kept a little warmer—the tem
perature rarely falling below 60 degrees.
The sword fern, Nephrolepis exalta, is
very handsome whei\ well grown, and
one of the most useful for all purposes.
A beginner would do well to choose this,
together with Pteris Vlctorioe and spe
cies of the first mentioned genera, for
early experiments in culture. Davallia
Moore&na and D. tenuifolia are also easi
ly managed.
It is better to begin with young plants.
Be careful not lo over-pot them; wash
the inside of the pots clean, and give es
pecially good drainage; use open, rich,
fibrous soil, light rather than heavy, and
instead of filling the pot with soil to the
brim leave plenty of room to hold water.
Ferns should never get quite dry at the
root, yet It will not do to keep them soak
ing wet. Many of them, especially the
maiden-hair and gold and silver ferns dis
like being splashed overhead, and hot sun
shine must, never fall directly upon these
delicate kinds. Ferns are sure to Ik* kill
ed by little dribbings of water given every
day. The same rule that applies to water,
ing other plants is good with ferns:
When the top of the soil looks dry fi.l the
pot with water to the brim, so that all the
hall of soil may have a thorough soaking,
it is not best to set ferns in a draught of
either warm or cold air.
There is no need to keep ferns in the
house all summer, though many people
do it. They thrive better outside on the
piazza of other sheltered spot, provided
the owner will not forget to water them.
An old fern that has filled the |H)t full
of roots may be repotted at any time ex
cept in fall. Repotting at this season
would interfere with the partial rest which
most ferns like to take at this season.
With plentiful watering one can grow quite
large specimen ferns in wonderfully small
pots. Two points that the fern-grower
must never forget, in potting and repot
ting, are the drainage particular
ly free. anct*To take all earthworms from
the soil. 4a. G.
Brief Note*.
To destroy the insects and fungus on
the bark of trees apply common white
wash, in which a lHtle sulphur is mixed,
a cupful to the bucket. A little soot add
ed will give it a dark eolor. The bordeaux
mixture of copper sulphate and quicklinn
will answer just the same purpose.
For a cheap, pretty, almost evergreen
hedge, nothing excels the California pri
vet. It is entirely hardy near the 44>th
parallel, though not entirely so in the
lake regions; but th* common one, Vol
ga re, is said to stand these more northern
latitudes very well.
A pinch of common salt upon cabbage
heads, after the worms begin to work,
will often destroy them. Another good
remedy is the free use of coal ashes in the
same way two or three times a week. It
4s equally effective when applied to other
plants.
Peach trees shouhl have the ends of
Ions: shoots shortened in, that huxhy spec
imens may result. A bushy tree yields
more fruit than an unpruned one, and
nicely shaped trees are more pleasing ob
jects lo look upon.
No seed requires a better prepared soil
than that of the turnip. Failure is usu
ally due either to a loose seed bed or to
the fact of a sowing before a rain. Let
the ground always l** firm and damp.
Sow German Clover Now.—Sow German,
clover as soon as the land can be got
ready for it, and continue sowing during
this and the two following months as oc
casion offers. This crop is of such inestim
able value to the southern farmer that he
cannot well sow too much. Asa winter
and spring pasture, as a green fodder crop
in the early spring, as a hay, and as a
renovator of the* soil, it is unsurpassed.
Sow 13 to 15 pounds to the gcre and cover
by light harrowing, and, if the land Is dry,
roll.
Cure for Pig-Eating Sow.-As soon as
tne pigs arrive take them away, and with
three iron barrel hoops fasten the sow to
the floor. Place one of (tie hoops Just back
of the fore legs, anoth'-r just In front of
the hind legs and the third over the neck.
Pad the hoops with a bran sack or some
old bits of cloth. Place a strap muzzle over
tlie nose, secure it to the first hoop, then
turn in the pigs. From twenty-four to
thirty-six hours' confinement will tame the
most obstinate and depraved row.— K. A.
Wood, New York.
Japan Farming.—Japan Is one vast gar
den, and as you look over the fields you
can imagine they are covered with toy
farms where th< children are playing with
tip* laws of nature and raising samples of
different kinds of vegetables and grains.
Everything Is on a diminutive scale, and
the work is as fine and accurate as tha
applied to a Cloisonne vast*. What would
an Illinois or lowa farmer think of plant
ing his corn, wheat, oats and barley in
buru h* s, and then, when it Is three or four
inches high, transplanting every spear of
It in tows about ns far apart as you cau
stretch your Auger*. A Japanasc farmer
weeds his wheat fields Just as a Connect 1-
• nt farm r weeds his onion bed. and culti
vates hi* potatoes and barley with u*
niU'h cure as a Long Island farimi !***•
stows upon ids asparagus or mush-rooms
or his flowers.—Ex
Forage From Horghwm Tin* American
Cultivator says: "While no kind of Mruiii
as feed can *up©rtN*de corn in cheapness
and value, sorghum Is a formidable rival
in It for fodder, **pc< billy when put qp in
I tie silo It st ands drouth i***tter, which is
likely to make it p<#pMl*r In the srid por
tions of the w*st, where corn often falls
Th* eotghum tins too lough a stalk to feed
when green, but whn cut and put in the
silo there | enough feriru ntviion to soft
rri the (talk" an Hia* they can i*e eaten.
The *wetns** of #be sorghum furnishes
* arbor A* eons nutriment just as die s the
starch of *otn giain. and in tr*ii mote
P rial a bP* form Wb#n v* cans sugar is
made in III* south flu wof hire t* who at*
t’nd the grinding always grow fat from
the sugar they cat.
Save the Hen Manure—'Hie .Manure from
bens. unless grain fed in summer, is us
ually less valuable than Ii is m w inter.
But il is non* tin* less well worth taking
cam of. It will heat very rapidly m hot
wither if kept in idles. As it is usually
deficient in phosphates, it is a goad plan
to mix some of the commcivi.il phosphate
with tin* matintv. ms it is healing. It al
ways <•<>:.-ii;:.* enough sulphate of lime or
land piaster to absorb the ammonia* while
the phosphate wi;h the nitrogen which
the hen manure alnnnids in. will make a
feitilizcr very nearly equal to guano.
Feed Fowls Some Grain a .'i. most farms
at this lime of ne yur. tin* fowls .an
have their freedom, and the tender grass,
the fat bugs and insects, and the much
wholesome nnd fresh natural food that
they find will make ii hardly necessary
for any other ration. But it is best to
give them an evening fted of wheat or
oats, in order that those that may not
have Inch fortunate enough to find much,
lie*al not go to bed with an empty stom
ach. But there is a gr*m value which
these farm range fowls secure, and which
is almost as imi>oiiant as the food they
get—-It is exercise.—Rural World.
Have a Few Sheep—Tt does not take such
a large sum to buy i thick of good gram*
< west, while a throughbred mutton ram
does not cost anything hi all, as his lambs
will bring about $1 per head more in the
market than the iambs from a common
ram; while tin*, similarity of all the lambs’
fleece both in staple and weight would
cause the fleeces to bring a much larger
sum of money in the wool market than the
get of a common ram. Therefore, on
lambs bred from a purebred ram there is
enough clear gain over and above those
from a common ram to pay for a thor
oughbred yearling ram. As the ma.o is
half the flock, how extremely unwise it
is to use a poor male.
How to Grow ( liner,
What are the essentials to success* i
clover culture? They arc the same hero
as they are in every other section of the
country, and can be briefly enumerated in
a very few lines.
1. Good seed—seed that have vitality
and that will grow when placed In the
soil.
2. Soil that has the elements of fertility
in it necessar.v to produce a crop.
3. Soil properly prepared with plow and
ha rrow.
A. Sowing made at the proper time with
a proper quantity of seed sown properly
and likewise* covered.
The essentials are certainly few and
are briefly stated, and we should he very
glad to have a statement from any far
mer who has essayed clover culture,
either with the red or Burr or Bokhara
or white, and has observed these condi
tions and met with failure.
The attempt to establish clover in the
south has doubt lees been frustrated in
thousands of instances altogether, hut it
has been the result of a violation of the
essential requirements of culture, either
wholly or in part as set forth above.
Worthless seed has been the sole cause
of innumerable failures with many who
set out lo demonstrate the possibility of
successful clover culture in the south.
The first failure discouraged many, and
a second attempt was not repeated. The
conviction fastened upon many that It
was useless to try any further to establish
clover on their land. What might have
been a splendid success in pointing tin*
way to a higher system of farming was
nipped in the hud, as it were, by the mis
fortune of having been furnished sterile
seeds. Much the larger quantity of clover
seed sold in the south have been of this
character.
Others again have perhaps* sown good
seed, but at an improper time. Frost
heaved out the young plants shortly after
growth h.nl started, and a second attempt
was not ventured upon. Seeds were not
easily procurable, perhaps, as 1s usually
the case In most sections of the state. The
land, nicely prepared for the clover, doubt
less, was devot<*<l! to some other crop,
and the clover ex|x*rlmerit. Indefinitely
postponed.
Others again sowing good seed and sow
ing at the proper time, perhaps, allotted
land that was altogether unsuited to the
experiment, and could make only a stunt
ed growth at best. Failure here also dis
couraged an) further attempt In clover
culture. Then again It was sometimes
the case that the experimenter thought
lessly plowed in his seed, as he would so
much rye or oats. Being covered too
deep (the bulk of the seed) an inadequate
stand resulted, and Oils was plowed up
to make way for some other crop that
was regarded as more reliable.
Thus, from various cause, the hearty
desire to inaugurate a better system of
farming. Involving more attention to stock
and to th** recuperation of soil that was
gradually yet steadily tending to sterility
was foiled, and many failed to recognize
the fact that the failure was only the
legitimate result of violated laws which,
whether the consequence of ignorance or
design, must always la* the same to In
exorable nature.
Hon lo Hralori' p'erllllly to n itlin
ilimn I'll rlll Without I,os*.
Ten years ago I took possesion of a
run-down farm, which would not produce
over five bushels of wheat, and ten bush
el* of corn per acre, says the Practical
Farmer. By the use of the cheaper forms
of the chemical fertilizers with the icg
umes. and a careful saving and a Judicious
application of all the manure from the
farm animals, I have succeeded so far In
■ e-toring the fe tlltty that It will now bring
twenty bushels of wheat* and fifty of corn
per acre. Any farmer owning one of
these worn-out farms can do as well and
perhaps better, If the right means are
used in the right way. However, it will
take plenty of hard labor of both hand
aryl head t succeed. A sufficient ijuan
tlly of all the e.ements necessary for the
growth of plants Is usually supplied by
the rains, air and soil, except nitrogen,
potash and phosphoric acid. Most worn
soils lack all Hires* of the essential ele
ments. The system of farming followed
In the southern elates for the past thirty
years has exhausted these essential see
mem* In their aval,able forms. Chemical
fertilizers have been used every year to
force a grain c rop on the poor land to the
exclusion of vegetable manure. The re
sult Is that the organic matter Is reduced
year by year, and from the lack of this
organic matter In the soil the effect of
the c hemical fertilize rs steadily eJc Teuecs.
thus both the soil and Its owner becomes
more and more Impoverished every ye ar.
Out Mrs! step must lee to restore* (o me
-oil this vegetable matter Hat the soil
has also Iceen robbed of Its phosphor c
cold and potash, and our great standbys
as renovating * rope, peas and clover, will
not grow without a *upply of tliesu el. ,
me ills In ihe soil. They a * see at, a sutte e m
cpianiily of nitrogen lor their own growth
and development, and store It up in sulfl.
TRY AUER’S FOOT EASE,
A powder to Is shaken into tile shoes.
At this season your feet feel swollen stcl
hot, and get Hr*4 easily. If you have
smarting feet or tight shires, try Allen s
Kceet-feea# It cools the fee, seel mskes
Walking easy Cures and prevents swollen
snd sweating feel, blisters a n*J * slloua
sjaete It* *!• ves coma snd bunlerfis of all
pstn and gives rest anil eseinfort Try It
to-dgy Moid tey all eiruggiefs slid shoe
stores for £,< 'I real package Klip.pJ Ad
dress Allen N. • urn si# *l, Ia Key N, f,
? The Best 1001-bag
//, n is the one that carries a little
V// j*. TT~ ~— if — can or bottle of Pearline.
mil , , Then you're ready for anything
tr in the shape of mud, dust,
W / y grease, or dirt. Nothing will so
W I quickly and thoroughly take
f / away all wheeling-grime and stains, from hands or
' ' clothes or anywhere. There’s no weight or bulk to speak
of. 1 low many times you have needed Pearhne when far
from home ! I nequalled as a lubricant for Bicycle chains.
dent quantities for future crops, but we
must supply to the soil the lacking min
erul elements. The question is. how
shall \v< do ilits most quickly, economi
cally* and effectively? Soule says b\ the
use of barnyard manure. All will agree
that the in a mile is a good thing so far as
It goes. All the wastes from the farm
animals should be carefully saved and ap
plied to the nearby fields, so that the cost
of handling will not he great. On most
farms it is im|K>Hsikde to bring up the
impoverphed lands by fib entire reliance
upon the manure of stock fed upon the
production of the farm without help from
some outside source. The cheapest,
quickest and most effective way in w hie it
10 obtain this outside help is by buying
Hie phosphoric acid and |K>lash. These
are the cheaper forms of commercial fer
tilizers, and are all tint is needed to Ena
ble the legumes to catch and store up
in abundance the more costl> nitrogen
The following Is about the beat rotation
to follow at first: In September apply a
mixture of three hundred pounds of add
phosphate and two hundred of potash per
acre, and sow to crimson clover and rye,
plowing under the following spring
Spread over th** land twenty-five bushels
of lime and plant in corn. The lime
causes a more rapid decay of vegetable
matter In the soil, and prevents tin* ten
dency to acidity during hot weather.
At tho last working of the corn, sow
oowpeas amongst it; they should not be
cut. but be allowed to die down upon the
land. In August or September sow crim
son clover among the peas and corn, and
plow under the next spring and sow the
land in peas. Cut them while green and
cure for feed. Blow the stubble and put
In wheat and clover, again using the acid
phosphate and potash. After the soil is
well supplied with humus, the clover and
peas should not be turned under, but
should l>e pastured or cut for hay and fed
to stock. The stubble turned under will
supply sufficient organic matter for suc
ceeding crops after the land is well start
ed in improvement.
I speak whereof 1 know In saying that
by the method outlined above, any land,
however poor, may he brought to a high
state of fertility. Il is unwise and ex
travagant for farmers to purchase tin*
expensive commercial fertilizers when by
the use of tin* cheaper forms to grow le
gumes we can obtain the costlier nitrogen
so easily and cheaply. If farmers would
only study how to fertilize Intelligently
and economically, prosperity would soon
come to our farms, and the waste places
of old Virginia would soon "bloom u the
rose."
A IIAI VI i:il t'ilHIV
Ghost of n Munlereil >lni TerrllfteN n
I'nrty of Sportsmen.
Four of Grand Haven (Mich.) citizens
had an experience the other night which
they will remember to the end of their
days, says the Tribune. It deals with
the supernatural, and is one of the Strang
cat stories over heard in these parts.
Messrs. D. A. Dane, I). Wright, Jed Barns
and Fred Barns left for u fishing expedi
tion up at the big boom. They tnad** ar
rangements with a farmer named Bran
dal, living on the river road about a mile
from the Nortonville mill to sleep in a
hut on his land. This hut. Is about a
quarter of a mile from Bruncial's house,
on the margin of a thick woods. The
quartet of fishermen made preparations
for spending th** night in the cabin and at
11 o’clock retired. About 11:30 Mr. luine,
who was sleeping lightly, heard a noise
as of some one walking in the garret
above. I,atie nudged Wright, ami very
soon ail four wen* sitting up and listen
ing Intently.
The noise was very light at first, as if
occasioned by rats walking over the gar
ret floor. It gradually became louder and
very soon the whole cabin shook and the
noise became a din. Naturally the four
poor fellows were badly frightened. Any
body would have, been under the circum
stances. One of the quartet tried to open
the .loor, but strangely enough, it refused
to open. This so frightened one of the
others that he Jumped through the open
window, over whic h a while cloth had
been spread. Despite the fact, that the
cloth was only pinned to the window sill,
the pins did not tear out. Getting out
side. the fellow who did the Jumping act
soon pushed the door in, greatly to th* re
lief of his comrades.
• By this time the niemls*rs of the party
legaii to muster up a little courage.
Wright, aided by the others, pulled him
self through the hole leading Into the gar
ret and lit a match. He could s**e noth
ing, and tlie mysterious noises cegsed for
th*- time being. Then the other members
of the party looked Into the garret with
the . ame result. The garret wits a small
affair, hardly capable of a man standing
erect in. and R was virtually empty. For
a time the. little hut shook us if in a vi*u
lent wind slorm. All outside was qui**t
and the hurvest moon was shining in ail
Its splendor. No one was in sight around
the i shin. The noises continued until 12 :<0
sometimes lightly, and then again very
loud, as If live or six men were Jumping
about on the garret floor.
The experience was to mil h for the four
Grand llavcnltes and they gathered their
effects and slept In the field the balance
of the night. In the morning thorough
search was made of the cabin. Nothing
was found that could have produced a
noise Mr Mrandal was called and he
laughingly told them that he forgot to tell
them the night l* fore that the place
was haunted. The story he told of the
cabin In the wood lends additional mystery,
In this cabin some sixteen or seventeen
years ago. lived an old hermit. lie was a
st range old character, and very lilt.** was
known of him except that he wan reputed
to have a vast amount of Mold stored In the
cabin somewhere. The old fellow never
went among the neighbors, but gam' and his
livelihood in gathering and shipping frogs
to the eastern hotels, on** August morn
ing sixteen years ago the neighbors found
him lying dead on the floor of Hie litil*-
hut with a bulb i wound in his side, The
mystery sui movnilng his tragic *tuji<ig is,
and undoubtedly always will be, a mys
tery it is surmised that It* was kil.ed by
robbers looking for his r* ptifisl fortune.
khorily after the tragedy strange noises
were heard and slrange sights Keen
around ih* cabin. Mr. Brands! has ofi*n
seep light in the cablti In the dead of the
night, and years sgo a shadowy figure was
mt ♦ n hovering about, of iso- only noises
have be. t heard and |*arth ijlarly at this
•esMii of Hie year It was when the har
vest moot waa shining vis nett year* ago
that the old frog Hurim was murdered and
every year, particularly gt that season, ma
noises fire very distinct. The neighbors,
•
after nightfall. Kverybody in that wctlon
avers that t!i<* old frog hunter* spirit iolt
ci * there* between the hours of 11 and 12:30
every night.
Of the quartet who passed the night in
the* cabin nothing further need be said ex
cept that Dane and Wright have* been
picking gray hairs out of their heads ever
since and tho other* admit that l* was th©
most horrible night they ever experienced,
lame** watch, which hadn't been wound in
twenty-four hour*, was wound during the
midnight seance by some supernatural
hands.
• I WING Sl'inil WITH A MHIIK. j
Hov Sonic lloridn Hoef Hoys l*nt
One Into IlfirncMN.
From the Chicago Tnter Ocean.
On the shallow lagoons of the outer
Florida reef the hot tom In ten feet of
water is often pure white, so that dark
objects resting upon it stand out with
startling dlfltinclnesff. One of the fm
quenter* of (ho reef is a shark, known ns
the nurse, nine or ten feet in length, who
seeks the seclusion of the aha How* and
apparently goes to sleep. At least, pre-,
tends to, a* ho Is seen lying perfectly
quiet for hours, often permitting a boat,
to sail over him.
Naturally, so sluggish a fish vrj easily
captured, and one day. after watching th©
shark* swimming around the lagoon und
refusing to leave the white bottom. it
occurred to a. party of boys that the nurs©
shark would make an admirable ateed,
and Immediate plana were formulated to
capture one.
The shark* w**re most plentiful near
long, narrow island, and here the boft*
made their headquarters. Their mode of
irans)>ortatton was extremely primitive.
The boot in which they crossed from, th©
main island where they lived was th©
wooden casing of an arch some ifuisons
had been making, a boat-shaped alTciir,
blunt it both n*l*. This had been caulk
*] and provided with rowlocks, and in it
the boys made frequent excursions. Th©
plan was to sail the boat quietly over
the sharks, them lower a slipnooge down
and take one by the head.
The rope and a pair of grains were
thrown into the boat, and, all being Toady,
the boys started on their expedition. They
soon sighted a black spot, which told rf
the presence of the school of sharks, ami
a few- moments later were quietly driftiujr
over them. Not a word was spoken, are I
the greatest caution was oiwierved, a on©
of the hoys held the boat in place while
another lowered the noose. I unfortunate
ly. an our was dropped overboard, and,
with a whirl of their tails, the big fishes
were off in every direction.
in th© excitement of thy moment. a
third boy seized the srcar and hurled it
a a shark that was passing beneath th©
boat. The weapon took effect, and th©
next moment the line, which was fast
ened to the pole, stiffened out with a
jerk, whirling the boat round and round,
and throwing the boys down violently into
the >M>ttom. When they picked themnelve©
up they found the fiat-bottomed boat
flashing along ala rapid rate. They ha*
secured a steed, though not in the man
ner anticipated.
Bp the reef the nurse swam, now pulling
the boat down dangerously neap-the wa
ter and sending out a big wave on either
aide, then turning with a. rush to avoid
a coral hank that grew on the edge of
the channel, and rat ing back to the start
ing point.
All this was very exciting. On© l>oy
held the line by bracing back; another
took un oar and attempted to th©
craft in It* wild race, while the other
ly w.i* merely an enthusiastic pas at n
ger. Suddenly the shark turned again, and
the bow hoy. rising to see what new di
rection it was taking, lost his balance and
was Jerked overboard. Before his com
panion* realized fully the situation ho
wan being towed along on the sur
face by Hie demoralized shark.
RMITt OF THK f.KAkg.
Tire p'.ye fVearles of Kvrythlng I.lsc
'llian the Verilant flarlh.
From the lamdon Bcho.
How dull and uninteresting would tho
e*arth be without Its aoft, bright verdure!
In every landscape It Is the most con
spicuous object, the ground color on which
the gay hues of flowers come forth in
greater brilliancy, by the force of con
trast, to arrest the admiring gaze. What
c an he lovelier than the meadows in May?
The eye that lias lately looked out on the
cold plain of snow or the leailctut tree,
gazes with delight upon the ‘‘tender grass
-frruigiiiK out of Hie earth in the e tear
shining after rain," so richly, delicately,
transparently green. Anil when the seg
non advances and the grass twinkles In
the warm air, and the daisies In thousand)*
open their round, innocent eyes in wonder
among It, snd the* buttercup* spread over
It their cloth of gold, ami the bright
sunheums anil the light-footed shadows of
the flei*oy clouds overhead eh are each oth
er In little ri|>pllng wave* over Its suiN
face, like* smiles anil Otoughta over a hu-'
mate face—lt seem* a if a large and a
brighter feeling of life came with the love
ly spe-etacle, and as If every tiny S|>ear of
grass Isere the aelmlrlng spirit u|>o<i It
from the* decays of earth nearer to tho
glory ami the fulness of heaven.
Nee sight can lee fairer than a woodland
nook or u forest glade, with the tall, un
trodden grass In lla dewy freahnesa. wav
ing under the ir*es, Intermingled with
palmy cluelci* eg fern leaves, ami tippect
on the top, like (dlloww that break Into
foam with snowy wtlel flowers; or thoso
routed falrv knolls, whose iMl.owy soft
ness invite*** (he dreamer to repose in the
noonday heat, and which offer theinaelvts
In mammary irmle mess te* fee I the rabbit
and the wild d**er. Beautiful is Hue grea
when it covers the* ele aylng thatch of the
cottage making le look more* like a natural
object than a work of man; t-rcter tt la
when It laya Ita rich cerpet twateb* the
threshulel of tie* poor io soften uncon
sciously the heavy footfall of toll, tui re
fresh the weary eye of care and remm*!
the* lowliest, by He mute anneal, of their
share it) nature's feast of .elmp-e glad-
Ttw muon I*• of llyuntini f!o#r* a
but It of th nto(lM
of ibr gni**, Vta v*rtttm> In
• huii'ii fuW, tti tui'tiii )iuli| ijrai *o( otif
< liltiinuli motto i, mi(J ihjcmi tryi jliliff
hif bn if n
5